With Wollongong businesses claiming rising power costs are their top concern, the Illawarra Business Chamber is offering help to find a better deal. Businesses – and the general community – can use an online service that aims to help find ways to reduce the cost of electricity. People just upload a PDF of their latest power bill to the NSW Business Energy Comparison site and they will later receive an energy comparison over the phone or via email. The research involved comparing electricity prices from 10 retailers, including Origin, AGL and Energy Australia. The service is available to all members of the Illawarra community, regardless of whether they are a member of the Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC). IBC CEO Adam Zarth said the measure was aimed at helping the more than 50 per cent of Illawarra and South Coast businesses that rated energy costs as their top concern in a recent survey. “Our service helps businesses and consumers cut through the complex quotes that they are provided by energy retailers, which can make it practically impossible to compare and determine whether they are on the best deal or not,” Mr Zarth said. “Our service takes the guesswork out of it.” He said that so far this year, the program has identified average yearly savings for businesses of $1500, and savings of up to $20,000 per year for some big energy users, such as bakeries and car dealerships. On average, the program has saved participating residents over $400 per annum. Mr Zarth said it was part of the Illawarra Business Chamber’s “multi-faceted approach to addressing energy costs”.

The business of getting cheaper electricity

The Illawarra Business Chamber is offering help in finding a better electricity deal. Picture: Daniel Kalisz

With Wollongong businesses claiming rising power costs are their top concern, the Illawarra Business Chamber is offering help to find a better deal.

Businesses – and the general community – can use an online service that aims to help find ways to reduce the cost of electricity.

People just upload a PDF of their latest power bill to the NSW Business Energy Comparison site and they will later receive an energy comparison over the phone or via email.

The research involved comparing electricity prices from 10 retailers, including Origin, AGL and Energy Australia.

The service is available to all members of the Illawarra community, regardless of whether they are a member of the Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC).

IBC CEO Adam Zarth said the measure was aimed at helping the more than 50 per cent of Illawarra and South Coast businesses that rated energy costs as their top concern in a recent survey.

“Our service helps businesses and consumers cut through the complex quotes that they are provided by energy retailers, which can make it practically impossible to compare and determine whether they are on the best deal or not,” Mr Zarth said.

“Our service takes the guesswork out of it.”

He said that so far this year, the program has identified average yearly savings for businesses of $1500, and savings of up to $20,000 per year for some big energy users, such as bakeries and car dealerships.

On average, the program has saved participating residents over $400 per annum.

Mr Zarth said it was part of the Illawarra Business Chamber’s “multi-faceted approach to addressing energy costs”.